We are so busy at Crossroads as more people come in for food. Today we served hot food continuously from 7 AM to 7 PM. We also sent over 700 meals out into the field to those who don't want to take time to come to the shelter to eat. It started to rain mid afternoon which makes it harder to salvage anything. The temperature has dropped too.
It was eerie driving home tonight. We are still under Marshall Law and a boil order. There are police cars and barricades major intersections to prevent anyone from coming into town after 6 PM. I was able to get home because we live outside of town a bit. You can get out, but you can't get back in.
Today there were a lot of ladies from the Washington Apostolic Christian Church helping us serve. They were stationed at the food line while us kitchen-savvy people were assigned to various tasks. I made four batches of instant mashed potatoes in a huge mixer. It felt good to wrestle that mixer and win! My first helper was Bev, one of the Apostolic ladies. I enjoyed getting to know her and we worked well together. After Bev left, my new friend Mary helped me with the potatoes. We kept getting a little wiser with each batch. I also mixed the salad and kept the salad tub full of greens. Hurrah for pre-washed greens. Food keeps coming in without notice. Fried chicken and pizza are the most common donations and are appreciated. Tonight as we were cleaning up we had too much food left over. Per Health Department Regulations we could not store and reuse this food. Thankfully, the ladies of the Apostolic Church were able to take it as they are serving workers within their denomination and are not open to the public. Those AC ladies are good to have around.
I didn't take many photos today. There are a few on my iPhone but I'm too lazy to transfer them over. You can see my photos on Instagram where I am knittingpipeline.
It was eerie driving home tonight. We are still under Marshall Law and a boil order. There are police cars and barricades major intersections to prevent anyone from coming into town after 6 PM. I was able to get home because we live outside of town a bit. You can get out, but you can't get back in.
Today there were a lot of ladies from the Washington Apostolic Christian Church helping us serve. They were stationed at the food line while us kitchen-savvy people were assigned to various tasks. I made four batches of instant mashed potatoes in a huge mixer. It felt good to wrestle that mixer and win! My first helper was Bev, one of the Apostolic ladies. I enjoyed getting to know her and we worked well together. After Bev left, my new friend Mary helped me with the potatoes. We kept getting a little wiser with each batch. I also mixed the salad and kept the salad tub full of greens. Hurrah for pre-washed greens. Food keeps coming in without notice. Fried chicken and pizza are the most common donations and are appreciated. Tonight as we were cleaning up we had too much food left over. Per Health Department Regulations we could not store and reuse this food. Thankfully, the ladies of the Apostolic Church were able to take it as they are serving workers within their denomination and are not open to the public. Those AC ladies are good to have around.
I didn't take many photos today. There are a few on my iPhone but I'm too lazy to transfer them over. You can see my photos on Instagram where I am knittingpipeline.
10 comments:
Paula, although there is extensive damage, know that it may not take as long to rebuild as you may think. Moore, OK is recovering after those tornadoes last spring and it's been good to see the positive reports.
Sending hugs, prayers and good thoughts to you and yours that healing and recovery will progress well.
Leah
Wow, all you kitchen workers must be wiped out at the end of the day. I know what a huge encouragement all that food must be to people, though.
You're doing such great work for your neighbors in need, Paula. Sending love & encouragement from your friends in Chicagoland....
Hi Paula, I felt compelled to write…. it's devastating but I am so glad that your family is fine. Thinking of you from Australia… be strong!
Paula, I am a newer drive-by listener (from Susan B. Anderson's blog). I listened to your retreat podcast on Monday, then on Tuesday I saw in the paper pictures of the tornado's devastation in Washington, IL, and put two-and-two together. I'm glad to learn you and your family are fine, and I'm sorry for the tragedy your community has suffered. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your community.
Thank you for sharing with us, Paula. I imagine you are exhausted at the end of the day but yet, you take the time to document. This is yet another example of your generous spirit.
All of these new skills you are learning, but feeding all those people and learning the logistics is much like planning a knitting project. Like the mixing of the potatoes is like swatching and trying a different size needle or different yarn. And your retreat planning experience helps too!
You must be exhausted, so pace yourself. Again, i know I've already said it, I am thankful that your home was spared, and this allows you to help others with your skills. Thanks for keeping us updated, your pictures really show the devastation.
Sending Hugs & prayers!!!
God Bless,
Shannon
What a blessing you and people of your church are. Thank you for updating us on what's going on. God bless and remember to take care of yourself as you take care of others.
Kelley
Paula, I think you are doing the work of angels. God bless you.
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